Tamara Ward

Simple humor makes for an enjoyable quick read. Jade has to deal with old and new love relationships in a small town while solving a mystery. Keeps a strange group of friends that she uses to help her. Liked how an incident from NC politics gets into the story by showing it affects other people's lives.

A cozy mystery set in Wilmington, NC. Jonie Waters had to leave Tennessee following her reporting of corruption in the police, the harassment was too much. Her Tennessee editor was able to help her secure a reporter spot on the Tribune in Wilmington. Though going to Wilmington means going back home to a family she had run from ten years ago. First day on the job she follows a tip that leads her to the body of a childhood friend. Wanting to solve the murder nothing will stop her not even the show more police. This story is built on relationships, family and friends. I enjoyed it, I hope you will too. show less

Private Deception is a very enjoyable mystery. Jade O'Reilly is believable and very easy to like. As a private investigator, Jade encounters some prejudice, some danger, many red herrings, lots of frustration, and moments of embarrassment. The mysteries of a missing teen and a lawyer's murder are nicely constructed. Tamara Ward has created a heroine who will be fun to follow.

It's been quite a while since I dove into a contemporary mystery novel. The plot about the stolen artwork was believable and, until the end, I was convinced one person was behind the theft and surprised it was somebody else (though in retrospect the clues had been there all along). There were enough red herrings to keep me guessing and on my toes.

Overall ... enjoyed it!